Elder Yun Mo looked at Lu Chengfeng, pondered for a moment, and said, "This time, I originally intended to take you as my disciple. However, now it's left halfway done. Although there are some causes and effects involved, it's not right to leave it at that."
"So be it, you and I met today, which counts as some kind of fate. I shall give you something to aid your cultivation, hoping you can become a pillar of the sect in the future."
As he spoke, he actually took down the sheathed treasure sword from his back, then unsheathed the sword and handed over the sheath, which was entirely black as ink with faint dark golden patterns.
"This sword sheath is called Hidden Blade. It is an ancient rarity I accidentally obtained. It can not only nurture a sword's edge but can also be carried around, nurturing both sword and person with unfathomable mysteries."
"I relied heavily on this exotic treasure during my earlier years of cultivating the sect's true inheritance. With my cultivation now gradually maturing, this sheath no longer serves much purpose for me."
"Today, I gift it to you, hoping it could assist you in your cultivation."
Lu Chengfeng, hearing this, knew that Elder Yun Mo's mind was resolute and sighed silently, understanding he couldn't forcibly request further. He said, "Elder, it is my misfortune not to be affiliated with Yellow Dragon Peak, how dare I receive such an exotic treasure from you."
"Please take back this Hidden Blade sheath."
Elder Yun Mo chuckled, lightly shook his hands, and the sword bridge precisely landed in Lu Chengfeng's palms.
"Something I've given away has no reason to be taken back. Just make sure to cultivate diligently at Profound Crane Peak. If you can inherit that person's skills, you'll surely have a bright future."
"And if the sect produces another outstanding talent, our meeting today won't be in vain."
After finishing, he flipped the treasure sword in his hand, carried it on his back, and left without looking back.
Once Elder Yun Mo left, Lu Chengfeng inexplicably felt the room's air turning somewhat chilly. As he slightly turned around, he saw Zhu Yuxian looking at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Good disciple, won't you formally acknowledge your master now?"
Although Lu Chengfeng harbored reluctance and caution in his heart, he dared not refuse vocally, fearing it would too obviously show and alert the woman to any discrepancy.
He was indeed Zhao Changzhen's disciple, but Zhao Changzhen's disciples were unlikely to know Zhao Changzhen's traitorous identity, let alone his private dealings with Zhu Yuxian.
So, when facing an elder recruiting disciples, Lu Chengfeng should express excitement and joy. Being too atypical might arouse suspicion instead.
Thus, without hesitation, he knelt and said loudly, "Disciple Lu Chengfeng pays respects to Master."
Zhu Yuxian stood up from the chair. Her alluring figure swayed as she approached, a faint fragrance wafted. Lu Chengfeng did not feel the slightest allure; instead, alarms rang in his heart.
"Why so nervous, young sir? Afraid I might eat you?"
Lu Chengfeng lowered his head, not daring to look at her, "Disciple has never beheld such celestial beauty and fears losing composure before Master. I beg for Master's forgiveness."
"Hehe, you really know how to talk," Zhu Yuxian laughed, patting her chest, causing a rapturous tremble, exposing an expanse of fair skin, extremely provocative.
Yet, the two men in the room at this time looked as if they had seen something terrifying, scared and trembling.
"Enough, truly boring, as rigid as Little Tong," Zhu Yuxian, still full of giggles moments ago, now turned icy, her tone chilly.
This woman's moods fluctuated unpredictably, laughing then chilly, emotions capricious, having an invisible aura that filled the entire room.
Lu Chengfeng sighed inwardly, knowing the days ahead would be difficult, having finally married a beautiful wife, made huge strides in swordsmanship and cultivation, became renowned in Yun Cang, with an elder taking disciples, he thought he was stepping onto the broad path of life, yet unexpectedly plunged himself into a tiger's den.
"Did she mention her late husband?"
"Provoke me, and I'll teach you a lesson... Make you my woman, absorbing even your late husband's gifts along."
Lu Chengfeng forced himself mentally, could instruct himself to console internally, fearing this woman too greatly now, dared not show any disrespect, fearing she'd take his little life.
"Lu Chengfeng," Zhu Yuxian spoke.
Lu Chengfeng quickly responded, "Disciple is here."
"Since you've entered my tutelage, I must make certain things clear," Zhu Yuxian's tone turned icy, her previous charm and allure vanished, embodying a pristine, untainted female immortal, distant and inviolable.
"I accept you as a disciple because I wish you to inherit my late husband's mantle. He was an unparalleled genius in the sect, once achieving great merits for the sect, even being appointed Young Sect Leader, supported by the Five Peaks Elders, to inherit the mantle."
"My late husband had grand ambitions to simplify the sect's unparalleled divine skill Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword. Although immensely formidable, once mastered it dominates the world, yet it often takes generations to produce a singular prodigy to succeed."
"My late husband comprehended the Five Major Sword Scriptures and, with the Sect Leader's permission, delved into the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword Manual, intending to create a technique that could lay the foundation for this divine skill."
Lu Chengfeng, hearing this, listened intently, not expecting that Zhu Yuxian, presumably a spy from another sect, almost became the Sect Leader's wife. This was chilling on deeper thought.
"My late husband secluded himself for years, then once cultivating successfully, ventured deep into the Yun Cang mountains, intending to slay the Beast King to validate his swordsmanship and newly comprehended secret skill."
"Yet unexpectedly, he was ambushed by masters from other sects within the mountains."
"Though outnumbered, my late husband fought valiantly but fell, at great cost to the attackers. Of the twenty-three who besieged, only three survived."
"All these years, I've been sorting through the drafts my late husband left during seclusion, wanting to pass on his comprehended secret skill."
Zhu Yuxian looked at Lu Chengfeng, speaking solemnly, "This martial art is incomplete as I've compiled it, challenging and risky to cultivate."
"Yet, if successfully cultivated, it will assuredly smooth your path within the sect, perhaps even gaining the Sect Leader's favor. The future of contending for the Sect Leader position wouldn't be improbable."
"Zhou Tong is a disciple under my late husband's tutelage. Over these years, I've guided him, spending enormous effort and energy on this secret skill, yet to no avail, instead hindering his cultivation."
"Let me make it clear, should you succeed in cultivating this secret skill, I shall fully support your cultivation thereafter."
"If unsuccessful and you wish to shift to another path, I shall not hinder."
"Deal?"
Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng bowed once again, "Rest assured, Master, disciple will fully commit, never disappointing Master."
Though he spoke so, he secretly hoped for cultivation failure, then seizing the chance to escape, turn to another inner peak.